The Palos Verdes Peninsula, which became known as Rancho de los Palos Verdes was part of a land grant deeded to Don Delores Sepulveda in 1822 in return for his support of the Mexican Revolution. In 1882, the land was deeded to Jotham Bixby who brought farming to the Peninsula. The Bixby family in turn, sold the land to New York City Financier Frank A. Vanderlip, Sr. in 1913. Vanderlip, then President of National City Bank in New York, covered every mile of his new acquisition on horseback and formed his vision of a magnificent community by the sea. To achieve these goals, Vanderlip called in the most talented experts and professionals of his day.

Rancho Palos Verdes (RPV) was incorporated on September 7, 1973. Sitting atop the bluffs of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, it is known for expansive views of the Pacific Ocean. The history of Rancho Palos Verdes dates back to the Spanish explorers and the establishment of the first Spanish rancho land grant in California. Its most notable geographic features are the Palos Verdes Hills and cliffs with grand vistas of the Pacific Ocean, with views of Santa Catalina Island. Its most notorious geographic feature is the continuous landslide at Portuguese Bend, which may have been caused in part by septic runoff from homes in Rancho Palos Verdes and its neighboring communities.

Rolling Hills is an entirely gated city with private roads and three guarded gates located at Palos Verdes Drive North (main gate), Palos Verdes Drive East (Eastfield gate) and Crest Road (Crest gate). Rolling Hills extends from Palos Verdes Drive North to the top of the peninsula and over the crest down the South side of the peninsula to the hillside above the Portuguese Bend area; and from the Westfield/Crenshaw Blvd. area to Rancho Palos Verdes on the East. Access to the city is by permit and guests must be authorized to a gate officer, from a resident, for entrance.

Rolling Hills Estates is an equestrian oriented city with many homes permitted to maintain horse facilities; and there are several equestrian centers. The city is located on the North border of the Peninsula, from Torrance to the Peninsula Center at the top of the hill. The city boundaries reach upward along Crenshaw boulevard to include the Peninsula Center commercial district and home communities along Highridge and Crest roads. Rolling Hills Estates has many lots of 1/2 acre or more, especially within the equestrian overlay. The city has 25 miles of public horse trails, with horse passage tunnels under Hawthorne and Crenshaw Boulevards, and has 10 miles of bicycle paths.

This portion of Palos Verdes small area is nestled around Rolling Hills Estates and is called Unincorporated Palos Verdes Peninsula or simply PVP. This is an unincorporated part of the county of Los Angeles. It is, primarily, made up of a housing tract called Westfield and building regulations are governed by county requirements. It houses 1,400 residents and approximately 500 homes. The homes in this region are blessed, in many cases, with city light views and most are zoned for horses. Lot sizes are 9000 - 50,000 , and prices range from roughly $1.0 Million to $2.7 Million. This community has terrific access to the Shops at Palos Verdes as well as the many amenities found at the Peninsula Center. In addition, PVP has access to all of the highly-rated Palos Verdes Unified Schools.